Inclusion Services

Recreation & Culture invites people of all abilities to participate in our programs and services. An individual is considered to have special needs if they have difficulty with physical mobility, behavioural challenges, developmental challenges, visual/hearing impairments, or medical conditions which prevent them from participating in a program/service without additional support.

Assessing a Participant's Need for Support

Even though Recreation & Culture programs and services are integrated, some individuals may need additional accommodations to participate. When assessing whether additional support is required, please consider the following:

Is extra support required at school?

Is extra help required at home for basic care?

Is there an existing physical, medical, behavioural and/or developmental disability that could affect the safety and enjoyment of the participant or other participants?

Does the participant belong to a support agency?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, please review the support options available.

Families not disclosing the needs of a participant prior to registration may be required to withdraw from the program. The Town of Ajax Refund Policy will apply.

One-to-One Support - 2 to 21 years of age

The Town of Ajax, Recreation & Culture department provides enhanced staffing support for children and youth with special needs participating in general interest programs and/or camps. One-to-one enhanced staffing support is free and available to Ajax residents only. Support may be provided by Recreation & Culture inclusion staff or volunteers.

How do I request one-to-one support?

In addition to registering in a general interest program or camp, families must also register for the applicable one-to-one support barcode.

In order to meet the needs of as many participants as possible, families can request support for one general interest program per program session, and up to four weeks of support in summer camps.

Enhanced staffing support is not guaranteed and determined on a first come, first served basis. A limited number of inclusion staff and volunteers are available to provide one-to-one support. Recreation & Culture will do its best to find support if required; however, it is not guaranteed that an inclusion staff or volunteer will be available for the time and day of the program requested.

How do I know if support is confirmed?

Once registered in a one-to-one support barcode, you will be contacted by the Inclusion Coordinator. The Coordinator will confirm that support has been arranged for the day and time of the program requested. If staff or volunteers are not available for the requested program, the Coordinator will discuss alternate options.

All new families requesting one-to-one support will be required to attend a meeting with the Inclusion Coordinator to complete a Confidential Participant Information Form. The meeting can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete.

What if I no longer require support or my child will be absent?

If your child is withdrawing or will be absent from a program or camp, please contact the Inclusion Coordinator at 905-619-2529, ext. 7259.

External Support Workers

External support workers are welcome to attend all programs. A fee may or may not be assessed depending on the activity. Staff may request additional personal information from the support worker for emergency purposes.

For children and youth programs and camps, families providing their own support worker must complete the Outside Support Worker Release form. Please return the waiver to the Inclusion Coordinator prior to the start of the program or camp. Completed waivers can be e-mailed to laura.tegelberg@ajax.ca, or mailed/dropped off to:

Equipment Loans

If you would like to request the use of an Ice Sledge or the Terra Trek Wheelchair, please complete the Adapted Equipment Loan form. and return to the Ajax or McLean Community Centre, or the Audley Recreation Centre.

Please Note: Specialized equipment is only for use by those who have difficulty with physical mobility. Ice Sledges are only for use at Town of Ajax arenas. The Terra Trek Wheelchair is only for use within the Town of Ajax.

Adult Sledge Hockey Shinny

Zumba ® - Special Needs

This class is designed for youth with mild developmental disabilities. Participants will get moving to the beat with this music and movement class fusing Latin rhythms with easy to follow moves. Have fun while improving motor skills and coordination. Youth/instructor ratio, 10:1 Ages: 13yrs+

Accessible Swimming

We welcome people with special needs to use our pools and facilities. A pool chair lift is available at the Ajax Community Centre. The McLean Community Centre and Audley Recreation Centre are wheelchair accessible.

Inclusive Playground

A playground for all! The Audley Recreation Centre playground is physically accessible, incorporates elements for different developmental ages, has sensory features and fosters social interaction and play.

Audley Recreation Centre - Audley Road North

Grandview Recreation Programs

Together in partnership, the Town of Ajax, Recreation & Culture and Grandview Children's Centre are pleased to offer inclusive, specialized recreation programs, serving children and youth with special needs.

Special Olympics Ontario - Great Durham Programs

Together in partnership, the Town of Ajax, Recreation & Culture and Special Olympics Ontario - Greater Durham are pleased to offer inclusive, sport development recreation programs, serving children and youth with an intellectual disability.